Scientists are constantly looking to explain the overweight and obesity problem in the United States and leptin could be the answer. This hormone was first discovered in 1994 and was found to have a connection to the incidence of obesity in mice and more importantly, humans(1). While leptin left the spotlight for some time, research […]
Do DNA Diets Work?
It is likely you have already encountered an advertisement for DNA-based diets on the internet. These may go by “nutrigenomics” or “precision nutrition” eating plans. These eating plans base their advice on a person’s own DNA to determine what foods are best for them. The diets are already available, but do they really work? Or […]
The Abdominal Wall
Keeping strong abdominal muscles does more than making us look good. These support the upper body, are involved in everyday motions, and keep our organs safe. A weak abdomen, on the other hand, may contribute to low back pain and trouble making bending motions. Excess abdominal fat (also known as visceral fat) is the most […]
All About Cholesterol
The word cholesterol gets thrown around a lot in health literature. It many times ignores the lack of common understanding about what cholesterol is and how it affects health. For example, most of us have heard of the terms LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) and HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein). As a result, “bad” cholesterol and “good” cholesterol often […]
The Importance of Early Nutrition
As an adult, it can be hard to take on the habits of healthy eating. This is especially true for those who grew-up eating fast food, snacking, and with very little physical activity. For many, unhealthy eating habits started in childhood making them hard to break them and start eating healthy. It is therefore important […]
The Mediterranean Diet
Many leading health institutions and professionals prescribe the Mediterranean diet. Cultures surrounding the mediterranean sea- mainly Greece, Crete, and Southern Italy influence the diet. Health benefits include reduced risk for chronic disease and healthy aging. This is not a weight-loss diet but rather a good health diet. Hence, studies suggest that individuals following a Mediterranean […]
Sugar Alternatives
Excess sugar intake is associated with weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and poor health. What is worse it is that sugar is everywhere and in everything. It is disguised as different types of food like chips and bread (refined carbohydrates) and is added to many more (to enhance flavor). Avoiding sugar seems impossible. There are […]
Combining Services at Santa Cruz CORE
At Santa Cruz CORE our services complement each other. Personal training and nutrition counseling, for example, go hand-in-hand when it comes to weight-loss. Corrective exercise, massage therapy, and acupuncture together can achieve greater results for treating pain. Thanks to our wide range of services, a client can combine many of our treatment modalities to better […]
Lowering Stress Through Diet
What we eat can have a sedative or magnifying effect on stress. Furthermore, if the diet is not controlled or at least acknowledged during times of stress it can pave the way for a number of eating disorders such a binge eating and anorexia. Research shows that roughly 40% of individuals increase their food intake […]
Nutrition, Microbes, and Gut Health
There is a unique connection between the human body and microbial life. There are about ten times more microbes (like bacteria and fungi) in the human body than there are human cells. Microbes in the gut (the gastrointestinal tract), especially, play a unique role in the metabolism, immunity, and incidence of disease in humans. Diet […]
